Hail Odin! (and Amazon)

Amazon offered me one of their regular one month free trials of Amazon Prime the other day. They do this on a regular basis and whilst I take the free offers I cancel it before they start taking any money, after all I'm not that desperate that I need anything I order off Amazon the next day all the time.

Clearly I am not alone in this view as Amazon have now upped the content of Prime membership allowing you to borrow a Kindle book and have access to Prime Instant Video, Amazon's video streaming service.

The streaming service offers a lot of titles already available from Sky, but a number of interesting ones that are not including Breaking Bad,  Copper (C19th New York police drama), Hell on Wheels (shown on one of ITV's satellite channels but I missed series one) and Vikings.

Vikings is now on season two but as this had only been shown on Netflix previously I resigned myself to not seeing it for some time. I watched episode one last night and enjoyed it, not as stylised in the manner of Spartacus which I had assumed it would be, it may well inspire me to finish those Dux Bellorum Saxons that are sat undercoated on the workbench!

Battlefield Academy 3D - The Future of Wargaming?

The news from Slitherine that they have been developing a 3D version of their BBC Battlefield Academy game for use with the latest Smart TV's is really exciting.

Apparently the BBC has been driving research into using the opportunities offered by the latest hi-tech Smart TV's and 3D technology for their licenced game ranges and Slitherine have used this research to devise a fascinating variant of their computer game that now will be projected onto a flat screen PC which will display the battlefield and units in a computerised 3D.

Gamers will apparently need one of the new generation table PC's (like the Lenovo machines) linked to a Smart TV and a set of 3D TV glasses each which when combined will allow the gamers to see a 3D computerised battlefield on the PC board.

Slitherine have stated that their initial releases will be just for WW2 but have stated that they are looking into converting their Legions game into 3D as well, so exciting times ahead for ancients gamers.

Obviously the initial set up is going to be costly as the game uses the lot of brand new technology, but as we have seen with 3D TV's and tablets the cost of new tech soon comes right down. I am a huge fan of the Battlefield Academy game and its playability, intelligent PC opponent for solo games and variable scenarios and campaigns make it a great game. A 3D version will make the experience even better and I wonder whether we are seeing the future of tabletop wargaming, the end of pushing expensive pieces of metal, plastic and resin around and the start of commanding virtual 3D armies?

Donnybrook TV? New Worlds on C4

Channel 4 is showing a great looking new drama series tomorrow, set on both sides of the Atlantic during the Restoration period. A sequel to their ECW series The Devil's Whore (available to watch on 4OD), New Worlds is smack centre in the Donnybrook era and the trailer looks like it will provide lots of inspiration. All I need now is some free time to do some more painting...

Blitzkrieg: From Lillehammar to Narvik

Back in October I ordered copies of the SkirmishCampaign scenario books for the Winter War in Finland (to go with the Baker Company Kickstarter) and the invasion of Norway from Caliver. The Finland one turned up pretty quickly but Caliver had to wait some time to get fresh stock in of the Norway book.

It arrived a couple of weeks back but I hadn't really had a chance to sit down and read it.  Having done so now I must say it is well worth getting hold of and great for any platoon level WW2 game.

The variable nature of the forces generation gives the scenarios great re-playability and I'd say that on the strength of the Finland and Norway volumes that any of the SkirmishCampaign series for your particular theatre of gaming, has to be worth getting hold of.

My only disappointment is that they are not available in downloadable electronic format, that said maybe that is for the best otherwise I would be clicking the mouse every five minutes!

Things That Go Bump In The Night...

I really should keep off Facebook... So tempted by these Nightfolk miniatures from Northumbrian Tin Soldier!

Nightfolk (photo Northumbrian Tin Soldier)

Blitzkrieg: Laffly S20TL

I really enjoyed painting up the 15mm French models for Watch Am Escargot, especially the Laffly trucks which I think look great. As you may recall I also have plans for some 28mm Blitzkrieg skirmish gaming and 'Lead Mountain' contains some 28mm French infantry bought with this in mind. I hadn't planned to dig this out this side of the summer but "Temptation" fluttered her wings in the form of a photo of a 28mm scale Laffly on the Bolt Action Facebook page.

3D rendered then cast in resin by Bob Emerson I just had to have one so I PM'd Bob and he invoiced me. He also sells some interesting artillery pieces (French and Japanese) and some other AFV's which is the Laffly is as good as it looks in the photo will probably be ordered too...

Donnybrook: Scratch Building Woodland Indian Dwellings

Scratch built huts from Wargames Illustrated

I've been pondering scenery for the Tribal Native warband as I don't have any suitable buildings and with son and heir off to university potentially a lot less money as the year progresses. Much as I like the Grand Manner buildings I can't justify the cost for a small skirmish project so have been considering scratch building some.

Google hasn't turned up a lot as yet, but it did uncover a really useful article in the Wargames Illustrated archives on the Flames of War website here and it looks like it will provide a good excuse to eat lots of Easter eggs! I just need to find a UK alternative to Treewrap...

If I can, then the template for a paper Iroquois Longhouse here could also prove useful too...

Donnybrook: Algonquin Tribesmen II

I finished the second test piece Algonquin tribesmen for my Donnybrook Tribal War Party, this time a Huron from Galloping Major Wargames.

Again the main reason for the test paint was the flesh, this time I added a brown ink wash and I think the end result is slightly better. Now I just need to decide on my unit compositions and get on painting the rest up.

 2014 Painting Target: 153/1000

Donnybrook: Algonquin Tribesmen I

One of the more fun looking factions in Donnybrook is the Tribal War Party, which can be any tribal types encountered by European forces from North American Indians to Moors to Central African headhunters... Recently I picked up a couple of blisters of Crusader Miniatures Woodlands Indians, ostensibly designed for the C18th French-Indian Wars but equally usable for C17th actions and an Algonquin Tribal War Party.

I've not painted a Native American for many years and not in 28mm so I worked on a couple as test pieces, finishing one today. The flesh is the hardest part and I have read so many different ideas on getting something that looks right. For this miniature I have used an old pot of Citadel Tanned Flesh with highlights in a mix of Tanned Flesh and Vallejo Flat Flesh, the end result being reasonable.

A rummage in "Lead Mountain" found some more C18th Woodland Indians from the likes of Conquest, Eureka and Galloping Major Wargames, most of which have now been based up and undercoated.

2014 Painting Target: 152/1000

Carry On Trucking Comrade!

Although I have yet to receive my Baker Company Winter War miniatures (I elected to receive everything at the end in one big box and qualify for some extra toys!) I could not resist getting on board for Gav's new Kickstarter - Russian Trucks of World War Two...

As any fule kno you cannot have too many trucks but some of the GAZ variant designs are pretty cool looking and ooze with scenario ideas.

I'm really hoping we get to the SU-1-12, that is too cool for words! :-)

Gangland: Prohibition

Despite suffering from a terrible bout of Manthrax I bravely painted the flesh on some Algonquin and read the latest Wargames Illustrated today! The latter has a really interesting article on 1920's gangsters and it has got me wondering where the old Grenadier figures and Lledo cars I bought in the nineties. Each time Boardwalk Empire is on TV my brain gets to thinking about converting Gangland to the Prohibition era and this might just be the prompt needed...

The Good Old Days...

I seem to have contracted the dreaded lurgy so plans to paint some Algonquin for Donnybrook have been put on hold as I sit under a blanket, sipping Lemsip and feeling sorry for myself! To cheer me up a non-wargaming friend sent me this picture - obviously the days before health and safety, the kids are using lead and one is smoking a pipe whilst casting toy soldeirs! :-)

Aeronef: Shed and Warehouse Targets

Happy with the Tri-Ang Storage Tanks I painted up as Aeronef targets yesterday, I popped back to Antics and picked up the (M839) Customs Shed and (M840) Warehouse blisters, both containing two die-cast 1/1200th models for under three quid a blister.

As with the Storage Tanks I toned the pre-painted models down with some Army Painter dip and painted the building sides to add a bit of contrast.

Nice little pieces and useful for Aeronef and other air wargames.

2014 Painting Target: 151/1000

Aeronef: Storage Tank Targets

I popped into the local Antics model shop yesterday with the plan to pick up some Zvezda Bedford trucks for Watch Am Escargot to be confronted by a big blue display stand of Tri-ang 1/1200th die-cast model ships.

Some of these are new models but some sets are re-issues from the original Sixties line, amongst these some harbour accessories including these (M838) Storage Tanks. As they were 1/1200th scale and only £3.50 for two pieces I decided to pick up a set to use as Aeronef targets.

The models are pre-painted (in this case just the pipes) but I decided to tone them down slightly with some Strong Tone dip and London Grey paint on the bases. The end result is quite effective and I might get another pack to make a bigger target (and get the trucks which I forgot...)

2014 Painting Target: 147/1000

Watch Am Escargot: French Armour III - Somua S35 Platoon

I managed to get hold of a can of Matt varnish and finished off the platoon of Somua S-35's for Watch Am Escargot.

The models are QRF and dipped with Army Painter Strong Tone after being base painted. The dip has done a good job muting the colours Battlefront suggest for French armour which look far too bright in the Flames of War Blitzkrieg book.

2014 Painting Target: 145/1000

Watch Am Escargot: French Armour II - Somua S35

The bulk of my French force for Watch Am Escargot comprises of QRF Somua S-35's and I have managed to finish off the first.

The model was a bit rough with some pitting along the right hand side, but after being painted and dipped it does not look too bad. The Battlefront decals certainly help.

The bulk of the platoon should follow when I get hold of some more Matt varnish (hopefully tomorrow) and here is the A&A card for the tank.

2014 Painting Target: 140/1000

Watch Am Escargot: French Softskins II - Laffly S20TL's

I managed to finish the other three Battlefront Lafflys yesterday evening...

I was very impressed with the models which have painted up well with use of dip. All the models come with a couple of soldiers to sit in the truck and an optional AA MG gunner (I decided to use him for the HQ truck, but not the rest of the platoon's.

Next job, finish the Somua S-35's and start work on the Germans (I suspect need to order some more infantry from Peter Pig so will pick up the odd French I need at the same time).

2014 Painting Target: 139/1000

Watch Am Escargot: French Softskins I - Laffly S20TL

Back to the 1940's French and the first of the Laffly S20TL trucks. This is the Fusiliers Portes platoon HQ vehicle and a one piece casting from Battlefront.

As with the Hotchkiss H-35 tanks, I base painted the models and then painted Army Painter Strong Tone dip over them. The end effect is very pleasing and a simple process even if you have to wait 24 hours for the dip to dry.

The remainder of the platoon's trucks are almost finished and the dip drying on a platoon of Somua S-35's, so expect more 15mm Watch Am Escargot goodness soon.

2014 Painting Target: 136/1000

Destroy All Monsters!

Well colour me excited...

Spaceship Away!

I received a belated Christmas present last night(!) but it was well worth the wait. Haynes are best known for their series of books detailing the ins, outs and workings of cars which were indispensable back in the day (I remember using one to help change the shock absorbers on my Vauxhall Chevette in the late eighties) but in the past few years they have expanded the range to include things we are unlikely to be mechanically tinkering with, such as a Spitfire or the Death Star!

The Dan Dare: Spacefleet Operations Manual is a little different from previous volumes in that rather than looking at one particular machine it covers a whole range of them, many illustrated in the cutaway fashion so popular in the old Eagle comics.

It is a lovely book and anyone with any interest in Dan Dare will find much in it. As well as a large number of spaceships, the book also covers prominent characters and aliens from the stories, space bases, propulsion systems and a whole lot more. Great stuff...

37 Days

I've just caught up with the three part BBC drama 37 Days about the period between the Archduke Franz Ferdinand's assassination and Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Given we know the failed outcome of the diplomatic efforts to avoid war it is a very well constructed and tense period drama and well worth watching if you are a history buff.

Unfortunately it is only on iPlayer for a couple more days but if you get the chance, have a watch.

)

Ramping Up The Medievals?

I know I have only painted the Romano-British for Dux Bellorum and that the Saxons sit on the painting table glaring at me, but I have to confess the wargaming butterfly stirred when I saw this on Amazon today...

Something to make use of those odds and sods medievals sat in Lead Mountain?

iCaesar

Most of today was spent on the train as I had a meeting in Basingstoke, but it did allow me to get another battle in Normandy on the iPad! On the subject I forgot to mention I downloaded Slitherine's Legion for the iPad as they had it on offer at the weekend. A mix of a strategy campaign and battle simulation it looks a bit like the original Total War: Rome. Should be fun once I've got the Battle Academy bug out of the system...

On the miniatures front, some more progress on Watch Am Escargot with the Somua S-35's coated yellow tan and the Laffly's 80% base painted in their green/brown camo. Hopefully all should be done by the weekend.

Battle Academy Goes East!

I am having a LOT of fun working my way through Battle Academy and the various additional campaign expansions on the iPad most evenings (the tension when the first Tiger turned up in North Africa was amazing!). At present I am part way through Rommel in Normandy having just successfully beaten back the American attack on the Channel ports and smashed Operation Epsom (all praise the might Hetzer!).  However as much fun as I am having in the Desert and North-West Europe I was given to wondering where the Russian campaigns where? I wonder no longer...

Slitherine have just released an Early Access Programme version of Battle Academy 2: Eastern Front for the PC. I'm content to continue working through North West Europe, after all I've not started Market Gardens, Metz or the Bulge campaigns yet, or the Blitzkrieg and Sealion ones so still lots to play, but the screen shots from the Eastern Front look just great. Hopefully we'll be off East on the iPad sometime later this year!

Bolt Action Trumped!

SWMBO had me on domestic duties for most of the day so hobby activity has been restricting to sticking the QRF Somua S-35's together - not the easiest job bearing in mind they are only four piece models. Hopefully they can get undercoated tomorrow.

In the meantime my attention was taken by a new release from Warlord Games - Bolt Action Top Trumps! I remember playing the original Top Trumps (the Tanks set of course) at junior school and the newer sets with Saul a few years back so will probably splash a fiver on a set as they look a bit of fun. I am wondering whether they could have use as activation cards or hidden units... :-)